I worked with my narrative writing students at @Cronkite_ASU to create a list of remote reporting strategies. Sharing the list here; hope it helps journalists and # journalism students out there in these unusual times. 1/
Use video chat apps to be a fly on the wall. Ask your character to connect with you so that you can "be there" during a family dinner, mother-daughter conversation, an event that's significant to your story. You'll be there as observer, not a participant in the conversation. 3/
Ask your sources to record a video tour of, say, the home where they live. Have the source be your tour guide. Some people are protective of their homes, personal spaces, but if they can feel some control over it, they may be more open to letting you in. 4/
You can also follow along on the tour and ask questions as the tour is going on. If you're not there, watch the video, listen to the source's observations, then connect with the source to ask specific questions, go deeper. 5/
Ask your character to keep a diary, write down what he/she is thinking about, how he/she is coping with the issue that's at the heart of your story. The diary can also be used to keep a narrative of daily activities to be shared with and reconstructed by the reporter. 6/
Use Google Earth to find images of landscapes, specific places that are pertinent to your story. You can look at these to describe places that you can't visit. (This is helpful in many, many other situations, not just #coronavirus) 7/
Consider substituting images for maps, graphics or illustrations. Ask your character to draw things for you, then ask the character to describe the drawing. 8/
Utilize audio. Your source can record his/her thoughts, answers to questions, impressions, etc., and you can link these to your stories. (Ex. You can quote them and also allow the reader to hear your source saying those words.) 9/
"Meet" with your sources daily using Zoom, FaceTime, or through phone calls, text messages, etc. Increase communication so as not to lose the connection. 10/
Ask sensory questions: What did it smell like? When you touched that rock, what did it feel like (in sensory terms, but also emotionally, if there's an emotional reaction to it)? 11/
Add an extra layer of fact-checking by reviewing with your sources your impressions of the scenes they captured through video, photos, diary entries. This is to make sure that you accurately "saw" what they saw. 12/
Follow sources on social media. (Duh!) 13/
Check in on them. Ask how they're doing. We're all in this together. Show them that you care. Because I know you do. 14/
Double-down on research and reporting that can take place from the computer; use it as an opportunity to thoroughly background and add depth to the story, lose your fear of digging through numbers. (I'm guilty of that.) 15/
And, finally, ...
And, finally, ...
Don’t be too hard on yourself. If things do not go as planned, try another approach. It's OK to recalibrate expectations. The most important part is to apply the tools of narrative writing in new, creative ways.
Please add your tips. Because we're all in this together. -30-
Please add your tips. Because we're all in this together. -30-
PS. My students are super smart. Hire them! @agyakaning @anthonyjwallace @audreyj101 @BCDerr @calahschlabach @dajaehenry @helenwieffering @HedeHHbyASU @jamielynfields @KatieSypher @Meg_Lupo @molboha @SabineGalvis @DrShaena Haillie Parker, Joseph Perez, Lauren Serrato
